Sturgis, Ross Spark Top Five Finishes Double Winners for NC A&T Men and Women at NCAA Div

For the Week of June 15 - 21, 2021 Sturgis, Ross spark top five finishes Double winners for NC A&T men and women at NCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field ™ Championships in Eugene, Oregon LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor EUGENE, Ore. – North Carolina A&T sprinters Cambrea Sturgis and Randolph Ross Jr., put on dazzling displays, each winning two national championships in world-class times, and leading head coach Duane Ross’s women’s and men’s teams to unprecedented top five finishes in the NCAA NCAA Photo Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend here. ROSS & STURGIS: NC A&T Despite coming in with just nine competitors, the Aggie men finished sprinters Randolph Ross with 35 points to claim third place in the men’s competition behind national DOUBLE (above) and Cambrea Sturgis champion LSU (84 points) and Oregon (53). The Aggies finished ahead of JUST GETTING STARTED: North Carolina A&T sophomore sprinter double winners at NCAA national powers Florida (34.5), Southern Cal (33), Texas A&M and Texas Cambrea Sturgis is stoic after blazing a time of 10.74 seconds to win the INDEMNITY Outdoor championships. (29) and Georgia (25). NCAA Div. I Outdoor 100 meters title in the fastest time ever run at the The Lady Aggies, who likewise sent just nine runners to the NCAA event. Sturgis came back to run a personal-best 22.12 seconds to take BELOVED MOREHOUSE HOOPS COACH PASSES; NEW championships, finished tied for fourth with Alabama with 31 points behind the championship in the 200 meters. That time is the second fastest in HOOPS COACHES AT DELSTATE; 2021 BASEBALL OVER Southern Cal (74), Texas A&M (63) and Georgia (37.5) and ahead of the U. S. this year and fourth-best in the world. She and a host of other Aggies are in Eugene, Oregon again this week for the U. S. Olympic Tri- vaunted teams from LSU (28.5), Florida and Texas (28). als seeking to earn spots on the team for the Tokyo Summer Olympics. The finishes for both the men and women were the highest for HBCUs in NCAA Div. I track history. national championship over a strong field. Commentators Dwight Stones UNDER THE BANNER and Jill Montgomery said in a stunned unison, “Ten-point-seven-four!,” WHAT'S GOING ON IN AND AROUND BLACK COLLEGE SPORTS Ross Jr. leads the men, stuns the world after the time flashed. The time was the fastest NCAA all-weather time in In Friday’s men’s track finals, Ross Jr., a sophomore, ran a scintillating history. But Sturgis had more. UAPB PICKS SOLOMON BOZEMAN: 43.85 time, powering down the stretch to win by more than a half-second Running later in the 200 meters final, she pulled off the unique double, PINE BLUFF, AR. – On Friday, June 11, Athletics over Texas A&M’s Bryce Deadmon (44.44) for the 400 meters individual winning that event in a personal-best 22.12. Sturgis’s time (22.12) places Director Chris Robinson title. It bettered his previous best time by nearly a second, was the second- her second, just one-hundredth of a second in the U.S. behind She’Carri announced Solomon Bozeman fastest time ever run at an NCAA championship meet, the third-fastest time Richardson’s national best of 22.11. Her time is the fourth best in the world as the next Head Coach of the in collegiate history and the third fastest time in the world this year. this year behind Shaunie Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas 22.03, Britain’s Dina Men’s Basketball program at Earlier in the day, Ross ran the second leg for A&T’s 4x100 meter relay Asher-Smith’s 22.06 and Richardson. the University of Arkansas at team that finished fourth. But he wasn’t through. Sturgis did Ross Jr. one better, helping put 26 points to the Lady Aggies’ Pine Bluff (UAPB). In the final event of the day, running after Daniel Stokes opening leg total with her two wins and relay performance. A&T also got five points Bozeman, 33, becomes one for the Aggies 4x400 relay team, Ross Jr. took the baton in sixth place, took from 100-meter hurdlers Madeline Akobundu (12.90, 5th, 4 points) and of the youngest NCAA Div. I the lead with a strong move on the final turn and handed it toAkeem Sirleaf TeJyrica Robinson, who stumbled on the last hurdle but recovered to finish Bozeman head men’s coaches. He spent in first place. Fellow quartermiler, senior Trevor Stewart, who finished eighth (1 point). the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts fourth in the open 400 in 44.96, then brought home the championship for the Aggies in the relay in 3:00.92. University. He helped the Golden Eagles improve their Ross Jr., Sturgis, host of Aggies in Eugene this conference wins each year and make a Sweet 16 appear- All told, Ross Jr. had a hand, and/or legs, in 25 of the Aggies’ 35-point ance in the 2021 NCAA tournament, the first since 1974. total. He garnered 10 points for his 400 meters win, another 10 as part of the week for USA Track and Field Olympic Trials Bozeman’s selection was unveiled Tuesday at the STEM 4x400 winning squad and five for fourth-place in the 4x100 relay. Stewart North Carolina A&T Director of Track and Field programs Duane Conference Center on campus. earned five points for his fourth-place finish in the 400. Ross, a few of his current troops and a few former Aggies are in Eugene, “It is an absolute honor to be named head men’s bas- Perhaps the biggest surprise for the Aggies was junior Brandon Oregon this week as the U. S. trials for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics kick off ketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff,” Hicklin’s fourth-place finish in the long jump final Wednesday which Friday. The trials run through Saturday, June 26. Bozeman said. “I’d like to thank Chancellor Alexander, earned another five points. Hicklin came in with the 21st best jump in the Cambrea Sturgis in the 100 and 200 meters and Madeline Akobundu AD Robinson, and the entire athletics administration for event but leaped to a personal best of 7.91 meters (25’ 11 11/2”) in the finals. and Tejyrica Robinson in the 100 hurdles, are among the current Lady believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be the Aggies who have qualifying times. Former Aggie Kayla White, who is also

head coach at such a historic university. The commitment Sturgis stuns the women, and the world trained by Ross, joins Sturgis in the 100 and 200 meter fields. In Saturday’s women’s finals, Sturgis, a sophomore from Kannapolis, and vision that AD Robinson has for the entire department Another HBCU product to keep your eye on is former Livingstone N.C., put on a show that won’t soon be forgotten. is second to none. The vision and standard will be at a high sprint star Quanera Hayes. Her time of 49.91 is the fourth fastest in the First, she warmed up for her sprinting blitz by teaming with fellow level. Our basketball team at Pine Bluff will do things the women’s 400 meters field. Her 22.68 clocking in the 200 meters also has her sophomore Kamaya Debose-Epps, freshman Jonah Ross and senior right way with character and passion.” in that field. Symone Darius to run a 43.03 for a third-place finish in the day’s opening Bozeman’s influence was evident as Oral Roberts Ross’s son, sophomore Randolph Ross Jr., is one of the favorites in event, the 4x100 relay. the 400 meters field along with senior Trevor Stewart. Former Aggies captured the Summit League Conference Tournament Later, in the women’s 100 meters, she broke from the starting blocks Christopher Belcher and Rodney Rowe who are still trained by Ross, are Championship, its first appearance since 2008. After earn- strongly, ran to the lead early and laid down a blazing 10.74 to win the in both the 100 meters and 200 meters competition. ing the No. 15 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Golden

Eagles reached the Sweet 16 with wins over the No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 7 seed Florida Gators. Additionally, Bozeman played a major role in recruiting and developing standout players Deondre Burns and RJ Back-up Marvin Gaye; the Lem Barney story Glasper who were both a part of the All-Conference and PART TWO: Newcomer Teams. How a black college football legend got to “I don’t care what nationality you are; we’re Bozeman, an Arkansas native, also spent two seasons sing back-up on one the most iconic and all brothers in the Lord. We’re on this planet and as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of best-selling records of all time Arkansas Little Rock (UA Little Rock). While there, he everybody’s in heaven as brothers and sisters, so recruited and played a crucial role in the development of LUT WILLIAMS we should be acting the same way down here on Rayjon Tucker, who currently plays for the Philadelphia BCSP Editor planet Earth, man.” 76ers. Before returning to UA Little Rock, Bozeman spent Motown is celebrating the 50th anniver- two seasons at Abilene Christian, where he helped Joe sary this year of legendary crooner Marvin Lem Barney on the spiritual message Golding build his program. Abilene Christian made two Gaye’s 1971 hit single and iconic album entitled of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” NCAA Tournament appearances during his time there. “What’s Going On.” Jackson State legend and Detroit Lions “The Golden Lion Nation is excited to welcome I saw guys with quarter skulls, guys with no didn’t have any athletic ability! ... So Marvin Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney was one Coach Bozeman to The Pride,” said Robinson. “Bozeman limbs, no arms, stomachs shot all out, eyes, goes on Shirley Eaton and a couple other big of the back-up sing- has an amazing reputation when it comes to recruiting and faces blown off, fingers ... Seeing those guys shows, and he starts working out with us in the player development. We’re confident he will position our ers with running back giving up [their] lives — it gave me a lot of in- offseason. And one day Coach [Joe Schmidt] men’s program as a powerhouse team in the SWAC and teammate Mel Farr testinal fortitude, man. I thought, “What I’m do- says to me, “Lem, what’s this shit Marvin’s increase our recruiting footprint within the state.” when the song was re- ing [in the NFL] ain’t nothin’ compared to what talkin’ about — trying out with the Lions?” Prior to Abilene Christian, Bozeman played pro- corded at Motown’s these guy are doin’ here.” I said, “Coach, I keep letting him know that fessionally in the D League and in a number of leagues Studio A on May 21, So we made a pact that we would never cry he’s gotta make some clearance.” He said, “I’ll overseas. While attending UA Little Rock, Bozeman was 1971. about another football injury at all, man. (In a tell you what, Lem — just bring him down to one of the most decorated student athletes in the school’s Barney, who dou- bizarre twist, just months later, Barney would the office on Monday and we’ll talk.” So I call bled as a dangerous find himself holed up with a groin injury at him up, and I say, “Gator (his name for Mar- history and earned AP All-American honorable mention, LEM BARNEY: With vin), look, Coach Schmidt wants me to bring Sun Belt Conference Student Athlete of the Year, and the Detroit Lions. kick returner early in Henry Ford Hospital, helplessly listening to Sun Belt Player of the Year. He hit the 3-pointer—with his NFL career, was a the radio as his teammate Chuck Hughes lay you down to the office, man.” And he goes, “This it, Lem! This it!” I said, “I don’t know if this 1.5 seconds remaining—to lift UA-Little Rock to a 64-63 seven-time Pro Bowler who finished his 11-year dying on the turf at Tiger Stadium.) is it or not.” [Laughs] win over North Texas in the 2011 Sun Belt Tournament NFL career with 56 interceptions, seven he re- MT: What does it mean to you when you sing Marvin said, “I’ll tell you what, Lem. Don’t you championship sending the Trojans to their fourth NCAA turned for touchdowns. He retired in 1977 and “Brother brother? Sister sister?” drive down. I’mma come get you. I’mma get Tournament. was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Barney: It’s a message, man. It’s a universal a driver!” So, you know, we limo down. He’s Bozeman earned a Master’s in Sports Management in 1992. The album, which has become an anthem message if you really listen to it, what Marvin all three-pieced and everything, and we get to from UA Little Rock. He and his wife, Myla, have been the Lions’ office and Coach says, “Hey, Mar- for wokeness, spirituality, protest and activism was expressing. And I felt it, man. You know, married for six years. it speaks to all people — not just [that] blacks vin, Good to see you again. Have a seat. So I was ranked last year at No. 1 on its list of the are brothers. I mean, men and women across hear you want a tryout with the Detroit Lions.” 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling ROBINSON HAS INTERIM TAG REMOVED: the country. It’s relating to the spiritual side of And he goes, “Coach, I tell you, I just know Stone Magazine. Just a week before UAPB Athletics Director Chris life. I don’t care what nationality you are; we’re the first time I touch the football I’mma score Robinson named Solomon Bozeman Gaye said he wrote the music and lyrics to all brothers in the Lord. We’re on this planet a touchdown.” as the school’s new head men’s the album – which include references to the en- and everybody’s in heaven as brothers and And Coach says, “I like your attitude ... you basketball coach (story above), vironment, war, religion, the stress of inner-city sisters, so we should be acting the same way got any film from when you played in college?” Robinson had his interim tag removed living, police brutality and drug use among oth- down here on planet Earth, man. Marv says, “Coach, I never played in college.” and was named to the permanent er topics still relevant today – to “awaken the “That’s OK. You got any high school film?” position. masses.” MT: So thanks to Marvin, you and Mel Farr “Coach, I never played in high school.” Below, the BCSP shares the second part of a So Coach says, “What the hell makes you Robinson had served in the role on got a taste of the record business. And at one Q&A with Barney from five years ago by Dave point, he wanted a taste of the NFL? think you can just walk out there and play?” an interim basis since Feb. 15, when Mesrey of the Detroit Metro Times about how Barney: Yeah, Marvin would come to every Marv says, “Coach, man, I’ve been working Robinson Chris Peterson announced his retire- he came to know Gaye and be on the recording. game. We’d give him tickets in the upper deck out with Mel and Lem, I’m in shape.” ment after just more than a year on the job. and afterwards we’d all go to Larco’s over Coach says, “Well, we’ll see. We’re gonna Robinson, who turns 50 on Sept. 13, guided UAPB Metro Times: So as “What’s Going On” is on Six Mile. When we played at Tiger Stadi- have a tryout up in the Lansing area in a few athletics through a successful yet busy spring in which climbing the charts in early ‘71 (eventually um — win, lose, or draw — we were going to weeks ...” and so he went up. He tried Marvin the football and women’s volleyball teams, which typi- reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles Larco’s afterward. The whole team, our wives out at fullback, halfback, wide receiver, and cally play in the fall, reached the Southwestern Athletic chart), you spent a month in the Pacific visiting and girlfriends. So Marvin started going with tight end. He did pretty good, but Coach told Conference championship games. UAPB also won five American troops wounded in Vietnam. What us, and that’s when he started talking about him, “Marvin, I like what I see, but with you SWAC individual championships in men’s and women’s effect did that have on you? gettin’ a tryout. And then later he’s on the To- not having any experience, I just don’t want to track and field last month, with three individuals qualify - Barney: Well, it was Marvin’s brother Frankie night Show, and Johnny Carson’s talking to put you out there and jeopardize your health.” ing for the NCAA West First Round Championships. — his experience in ‘Nam really inspired the him, and he says, “Yeah, I’m trying out for the Marvin appreciated that, you know. At least he Robinson also helped UAPB launch a campaign to album. At that time, the war was still going on. Detroit Lions!” got a tryout. raise money for a new soccer and track-and-field complex. I did a month in the [Pacific] visiting troops in He said on May 25 nearly half of the $500,000 goal for the the hospitals. I went over with [NFL players] MT: What do you remember about that? I MT: So Marvin sticks to making music and the opening phase was raised, and that once the goal is met, Bob Lilly, Tom Matte, Ernie Wright, and Tom mean, he couldn’t have been worse than world gets the gift of What’s Going On. the complex can be completed within 90 days. Dempsey, the kicker from the New Orleans George Plimpton (of Paper Tiger fame! Barney: Best decision he ever made. Saints. Barney: Ha, no! The Paper Lion! Man, Plimp